I woke up at 6:30 this morning and the sun was shining which instantly made me smile. With so much sickness around me, it was nice to be in a happy place and I've vowed to stay here! I can't do a thing about my friends who are already ill with the flu, but call and text them to keep their spirits up. I can't visit them nor would they want me to. So, I sit here wondering what I can do for them from afar.
Of course, I pray for them and send them funny texts calling them Typhoid Mary and Melvin :) They've enjoyed those calls because one thing we have in common is a good sense of humor. They know that if I could go over and sit with them, cook for them and nurse them, I would. But, that's not possible. They appreciate my calls to check in with them and I know that most of them are going stir crazy from being home. I pray they are up and around very soon and that no one else falls ill.
This isn't a blog about the flu or friendship, really. I'm just writing to see what comes out. I have no point, at all :) Just my habit of journaling in the morning after my walk with Ozzy.
He's doing so well! I watched more videos of the Dog Whisperer last night - the aggressive dog episodes and boy, this guy is MAGIC. I love how he says, that he "rehabilitates dogs, trains people". So true!
Ozzy is a wonderfully sweet boy, but does he ever have a stubborn streak, wow. It centers around me giving him commands in the home. Since I know that he loves to eat and is a voracious eater, I thought this morning was the day to teach him sit and stay - before breakfast was put down for him.
We walked, came inside, I gave him a treat and then, some love. That's what Cesar Millan says: Exercise, discipline and love. I wonder if I need to follow that rule, myself?! How disciplined am I? Hmmmm...hmmmm....NOT at all!
Well, not exactly. I am disciplined when I'm alone, but with H back at home, I've noticed that I am easily distracted by her and her 'stuff'. I was writing pages on my NaNoWriMo novel yesterday afternoon and when she asked if I wanted to watch a movie with her before she went out, I say okay. Even though, I was in a zone and enjoying what I was doing, I quit!
I was a bit torn, but I figured that my daughter won't be with me long and she comes first before any novel writing, right? I enjoy the time with my kids when I have them. But, then I realized that H could be with me well into the new year if she doesn't find full-time employment before then...hmmm.
She interviewed twice this week with a government contracting company and out of 150 applicants, nine were interviewed. H and another candidate were the only ones asked back for a second interview with the VP of the company and the man H would be working for. We should find out whether H is gainfully employed by Monday. Fingers crossed and praying!!
I realize this morning that I have to put my 'things' first and cannot let my children's lives come before mine. They are 21 and 24. God willing, we all have long lives to look forward to and being half a century old (me) means that realistically, I have less time to get my stuff done!
This morning, I am wondering how much discipline I really have. It's true what Millan says, we learn from our pets and vice versa. Ozzy's routine and good behavior depends on ME to provide it. H's routine and good behavior (you know what I mean :) depends on me having a routine of my own! Lightbulb moment :)
So, back to Ozzy. He waited like a good boy and gave me space while I prepared his breakfast on the kitchen counter. I did notice, however, that he seemed tense and wasn't relaxed while waiting for me to put his bowl down. He wasn't sitting, his ears were forward (my, how much I've learned about dog psychology!) and I was relaxed, so I went over to him and said "sit" while pushing his bottom down. His bottom had a different agenda! He was having NO part of sitting down! He's one strong dog, wow! Stiff as a board!
It was a good time to begin, I thought. I have the time and he has the ability because he's smart as hell, wants to please and loves to eat. Three more times we worked on "sit" and he sat momentarily, but the minute I went back to his dish, pretending I wasn't finished, he stood up and stared at me. Willful little dog :) I went back a fourth time and he ran away from me! LOL! Like a toddler who doesn't want discipline, he ran away!
So, I ignored him and he came back to the kitchen. This time, I approached him, pushed his bottom down, said "sit" in a firm voice and added, "stay". Ozzy remained in a sitting position, I walked over to his dish and then, said "come". He went to his dish and began shoveling down his food! I reached over and put my hands on his dish and he continued eating. I then, put my hands in the dish while he ate and he did nothing. It slowed him down a bit and then, I let him finish.
He's not an aggressive dog, he is great with people, kids and other dogs. He doesn't bark and go nuts like other dogs when we walk, so he just has a strong personality at home and we need to continue working on commands :)
I'm a pretty relaxed person and although he's a good boy, I want it to remain nice and easy between us. Everyone needs rules, boundaries, exercise, discipline, love and affection. My kids included and yes, that includes me, too!
I need to make sure I keep MY butt in my chair while I write and do the necessary things like paying bills (HATE that)! I also to jerk my own chain and poke my shoulder when I am wandering aimlessly in my mind and body when I should be focused on the here and now.
Teaching Ozzy is teaching me :) I love lightbulb moments, don't you?
Time to get ready for the food show! Now, where is that mask...
Peace and love.
E
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